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Sara Booher
65
Knox KC 3-3,0-1 Midwest Conference
67
Winner Grinnell GC 7-2,1-0 Midwest Conference
Knox KC
3-3,0-1 Midwest Conference
65
Final
67
Grinnell GC
7-2,1-0 Midwest Conference
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Knox KC 14 17 15 19 65
Grinnell GC 16 17 18 16 67

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Ted Schultz

Booher makes history with program's first triple-double in more than 30 years as Grinnell stops Knox 67-65

Pioneers hold league's highest-scoring team 14 points below its average

Edited to reflect one of two triple-doubles by Jennifer Kelley.

GRINNELL, Iowa - Sara Booher '25 picked an opportune time to produce the first triple-double in more than 30 years for the Grinnell College women's basketball team.

Booher exploded for 23 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocks as the Pioneers slipped past a speedy Knox College squad in a 67-65 thriller Tuesday at Darby Gymnasium. Booher's triple-double was just the third this season in all of NCAA Division III, and the first-ever at Grinnell involving points, rebounds and blocks. It also marked Grinnell's first triple-double since Jennifer Kelley produced one on Feb. 19, 1993, with 11 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists. 

Grinnell improved to 7-2 with the victory, continuing its best start for the program in 21 seasons, and held the league's highest-scoring team 14 points below its average.

The Pioneers limited Knox, which was picked to finish second in the league this season, to just 27.2 percent shooting from the field and 25.9 percent from 3-point land in the Midwest Conference opener for both teams. 

Booher's blocked shot total is second in GC history, just two off the school record, and her rebound total ranks fifth. Both figures, as well as her point total, are career-highs for the senior.

Bailey Strovers '27 registered another double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, both career-highs. Skylar Thomas '26 added a career-best eight boards and Nikki Ware '25 contributed four assists and had a steal. Strovers, Grace Marsh '25 and Juniper Schwartzman '27 also had one steal apiece.

As a team, Grinnell posted 11 blocks and 64 rebounds. Those figures are fifth and sixth in program history, respectively.

Grinnell led 16-14 after one period and 33-31 at halftime. Knox, 3-3, closed within a point midway through the third frame but Grinnell pulled away with a seven-point run that consisted of a layup by Booher, 3-pointer from Strovers and two free throws by Booher. The Pioneers were up 51-46 after three periods to set up the thrilling fourth frame.

Amelia Rigel '28 came off the bench and scored a few key buckets as Grinnell stretched its lead to eight, but the Prairie Fire stormed back and twice went ahead by a point. Trailing by a point, Booher gave the Pioneers the lead for good with a layup at the 2:48 mark. Grinnell forced three Knox missed shots and a turnover after that before Strovers' tip-in put the hosts on top 67-64 with 45 seconds left.

The Prairie Fire sank a free throw a few seconds later to cut the gap to two. Grinnell held on down the stretch, though, forcing two missed shots by the visitors in the waning seconds.

Grinnell takes to the road this weekend for a MWC contest at Lawrence University. Tip-off Saturday in Appleton, Wis., is at 1 p.m.
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